Protecting-casing for ammunition.



I. SCHIRRA.

PROTECTING CASING FOR AMMUNITION.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJZ, I915.

Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

INVENTOR WITNESSES m r NORRIS psrsns cm. FNO'ID-UTM 0.. wAsnmG mu. 0. c.

JULIUS SCHIBRA, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND ILEESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PRGJECTILE PROTECTOR COMPANY,

OF WILMINGTON,

DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAVARE.

PROTECTING-CASING FOR AMMUNITION.

Specification of Letters Patent:

Patented Oct. 1?, 191.6.

Application filed August 12, 1915. Serial No. 45,130.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J ULIUs SOHIRRA, a. citizen of the United States, and resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protecting-Casings for Ammunition, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in protecting casings for ammunition especially adapted for use in the transportation and storage of explosive shells, shrapnel, etc.

Owing to the presence of the riding band or ring which forms the portion of greatest diameter, the shell, shrapnel or other form of projectile requires extreme care in han dling, transportation and storage in order to prevent damage to this band. Where the projectile is of the shrapnel type, in which the contents are insertible only after the case has been completed and properly fitted together, it is additionally desirable to eliminate liability of corrosion, rust action, etc,

as far as possible in order that no diiiiculty.

may be had in opening the interior of the case for the insertion of the contents. In the present invention these features are taken care of by a suitable protecting casing which can be readily applied or removed, but which latter, when in position, efiiciently protects the projectile, the casing being of a type which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, my invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a projectile showing one form of protecting casing in position thereon, parts being broken away for clearness. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the projectile with a casing shown in section, the latter being of a slightly different arrangement. Fig. 3 1s a view in elevation of the projectile and showing a different form of casing, parts being broken away for clearness. Fig. i is a sectional view taken on line 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on,

line 55 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, the exterior only of a pro ectile is shown, the projectile being indicated at 10, the rifiing band or ring of the projectile being shown at 11. The projectile may be of any of the well known types, that shown being of a common configuration.

As shown, the casings may be of various types, the characteristic feature being the provision of a pair of bands or rings 12 and 13 of substantially equal diameter externally, these bands being connected together to provide a fixed distance therebetween, one of the bands (as 12) completely overlying the riding-band or ring 11, the connecting portion, indicated at 14 or 14 having one end adapted to form a shoulder 15 within the rifiing-ring protecting band, said shoulder limiting the inward movement of the casing by contacting with the edge of the ridingring.

The connecting portion may be in the form of a continuous body, as at 14, or may be in the form of strips extending in the direction of length of the projectile, the strips being spaced apart preferably in parallel relation as at 14. These connecting portions preferably extend within and to the outer ends of the band 13, thus extending through the width of this band and extending within the band 12 a distance sutlicient to provide a secure engagement therebetween above the shoulder 15.

As the bands 12 and 13 are of substantially equal diameter externally, it will be understood that the projectile may be moved about by rolling or be piled up with the shell axes parallel with each other, without lia bility of damage to the projectile.

The bands 12 and 13 are preferably of a material known commercially as fiber, this material being of sufiicient strength for the purpose, not liable to be readily broken, and

which will not materially deteriorate in the presence of water or moisture, being at the same time relatively light in weight, an advantage where the projectiles are to be transported.

The connecting portion may be of similar material, or of a fabric material suitably prepared, one form of which I have produced by applying a cement coating to the material known as rubber cloth, thus rendering the fabric free from absorption effects and at the same time giving it a greater body resistance. I prefer, however, to employ the fiber material for the connecting portion.

The bands 12 and 13 may be formed in any suitable manner. For instance, in Fig. 1 I have shown them as formed by riveting, while in Fig. 3 the securing means is in the form of lacing; either form may be employed. The portion 14 may also be completed in similar manner.

As shown, I preferably indent the connecting portion, as at 16, thereby forming inwardly-projecting surfaces which will contact with the surface of the projectile intermediate the bands 12 and 13 thereby not only tending to decrease liability of movement of the casing on the projectile, giving the casing the effect of an actual fit thereto, but at the same time enabling a casing to be used under small variations in sizes of projectile or of the casing, decreasing the necessity for the formation of casings individual to each projectile or with absolute accuracy, thus enabling the casings to be produced in quantity and applied without difficulty.

If desired, 1 may employ flexible straps 17 projecting beyond the band 13, thereby providing gripping members by means of which the casing may be readily stripped from the shell when such action is desired.

As will be understood, the casing structure thus described will provide efficient service for the desired purposes. However, I prefer to additionally. employ a cap structure, especially where the projectile is in the form of shrapnel, and more particularly where the shrapnel case requires transportation to a different point for filling, the cap protecting the forward portion of the shrapnel case, and reducing liability of corrosion, rust action, etc. at the point where the filling opening is located.

The cap, indicated generally at 18, may be of various forms. For instance, in Fig. 1 I have shown it as of composite form, the inner part 19 being of fiber, the other portion 19 being of fabric, the two parts being secured together in suitable manner as by cementing. In Fig. 2 I have shown the cap as formed of the cement coated rubber cloth heretofore referred to, thus making it of a single member. In each case I preferably form the cap with a skirt 20 of suitable length. This skirt may be attached to the casing, as in Fig. 1, where the skirt is shown as extending between the band 13 and the 7 connecting portion 14, being secured in such position. However, I prefer to provide the cap and easing as separate elements, the cap being first placed in position with the skirt extending over the body of the shell a. suitable distance but free from contact with the periphery of the rifiing ring, after which the casing is placed in position by slipping it over the skirt of the cap, this arrangement being shown in Fig. 2. This not only provides a reduction in the cost of manufacture, but in addition provides an assurance that the cap will be held in position, the movement of the casing to position properly locating the cap through the contact of casing and skirt.

As will be readily understood, the casing and cap may be removed as a unitary structure. One advantage in providing these elements as separate structures lies in the fact that while both elements may be employed in the transportation and handling of the shrapnel case, the cap may be omitted after the filling operation has been had, thus protecting the case until it has been finally charged, after which the necessity for opening the filling opening has ceased.

If desired, the length of the skirt may be such as to extend to the top plane of the rifiing ring, and where it is desired to provide the cap and casing as an integral structure, the skirt may take the place of the connecting portion 14, the bands12 and 13, in such case, being secured directly to the skirt, the lower end of the latter producing a shoulder: 15.

I prefer to enlarge the free end of the band which protects the rifiing ring as by flaring it outwardly, to enable the casing to be readily moved to position, such flared end having a sufficient diameter to insure the passage of the rifiing ring thereinto.

It will be readily understood, that by the constructionsherein disclosed, the casing and cap structure as formed can be produced at a comparatively low cost and will efficiently produce the desired results in meeting the specific requirements of such use. The structure may be readily placed in position and will have sufficient resistance against removal to permit proper handling without accidental dislodgment. It will enable the projectiles to be stored or transported, and in either case will tend to prevent corrosion or rust action through the protection afforded by the casing. Furthermore, the casing is of a type which can be rapidly removed when occasion demands such action, and where it is employed on the projectile up to the time when the latter is placed in actual service, no material delay is had in removing the casing, and when removed the materials are such as can be discarded if desired. Where the connections are of lacing, the latter may be readily destroyed by cutting, the bands 12 and 13 then being freed from restraint.

While I have herein shown and described various ways in which my invention may be carried out, it will be readily understood that changes and modifications therein may be required or desired to meet the particular desires of the user or the exigencies of such use; I, therefore, reserve the right to make any and all such changes and modifications as may be found necessary for these purposes, in so far as the matter may fall within the scope and spirit of the invention, as expressed in the accompanying claims.

vVhat I claim is 1. A protecting casing for ammunition comprising a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally, one of said bands being positionable to overlie the rifiing band of the projectile, and a connecting portion for spacing said bands, one end of said portion acting as a stop to limit the positioning movements of the casing.

2. A protecting casing for ammunition com rising a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally, one of said bands being positionable to overlie the rifiing band of the projectile, and a connecting portion for spacing said bands, one end of said portion acting as a stop to limit the positioning movements of the casing, the opposite end of said connecting portion extending within and forming a support for the other band.

3. A protecting casing for ammunition comprising a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally, one of said bands being positionable to overlie the rifiing band of the projectile, a connecting portion for spacing said bands, one end of said portion acting as a stop to limit the positioning movements of the casing, the opposite end of the connecting portion extending through and forming a support for the other band, and a cap structure located at said opposite end.

4-. A protecting casing for ammunition comprising a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally, one of said bands being positionable to overlie the rifiing band of the projectile, and a connecting portion for spacing said bands, one end of said portion acting as a stop to limit the positioning movements of the casing, said connecting portion having a less diameter than either band and being provided with indentations adapted to contact with the body portion of the projectile.

, 5. A protecting casing for ammunition comprising a pair of fiber bands of substantially equal diameter externally, one of said bands being of greater width than the other, said latter band being positionable to overlie the rifiing ring of the projectile, and a connecting portion for spacing said bands, one end of said portion acting as a stop to limit the positioning movements of the easmg.

6. A protecting casing for ammunition comprising a pair of fiber bands of substantially equal diameter externally, one of said bands being of greater Width than the other, said latter band being positionable to overlie the rifiing ring of the projectile, and a connecting portion for spacing said bands, one end of said portion acting as a stop to limit the positioning movements of the casing, said connecting portion being of similar material.

7. In protecting devices for ammunition and in combination, a casing having a pair of spacedapart bands one of which is adapted to overlie the rifiing ring of the projectile, and a cap structure at the opposite end of the casing from said band and having a skirt adapted to be retained in position by the casin I 8. In protecting devices for ammunition and in combination, a casing having a pair of spaced-apart bands one of which is adapted to overlie the rifiing ring of the projectile, and a cap structure at the opposite end of the casing from said band and having a skirt adapted to be retained in position by the casing, said skirt underlying the easmg.

9. In protecting devices for ammunition and in combination, a casing structure formed of a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally, connected together in spaced relation, and a cap structure, said casing and cap being interrelated to provide the protecting action and being removable as a unit.

10. In protecting devices for ammunition and in combination, a casing formed of a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally and with a connecting portion adapted to space said bands and produce a shoulder to limit the positioning movement of the casing, and a cap structure including a skirt positionable between the casing and the body of the projectile.

11. In protecting devices for ammunition and in combination, a casing formed of a pair of bands of substantially equal diameter externally and with a connecting portion adapted to space said bands and produce a shoulder to limit the positioning movement of the casing, and a. cap structure including a skirt positionable between the casing and the body of the projectile, and gripping devices at one end of the casing to permit ready removal of the casing from the projectile.

12. In protecting devices for ammunition In testimony whereof I aflix my signature afid in dcombinaltionl, a cgsing havinfg 1a band in presence of two Witnesses. a apte to over ie tie ri ing ring ,0 1316 prov jectile, and a cap structure at the opposite JULIUS SOHIRRA' end of the casing from said band and have WVitnesses: ing a skirt underlying and adapted to be re- S. A. MOFARLAND, tained in position by the casing. HORAGE G. Snrrz.

Copies of this patent may ,be obtained for five cents each, by addressing-the Commissioner of latenta,

Washington, D. 0. 

